Asmara, Eritrea, 31 October– AfCFTA Secretary-General H.E. Wamkele Mene, on an official visit to Eritrea, held a productive meeting with the Eritrean Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Osman Salen Mohammed.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General provided a comprehensive update on the implementation of the AfCFTA Agreement, highlighting key tools designed to strengthen intra-African trade and drive the continent’s industrial development through regional value chains. He underscored the importance of fostering inclusion, particularly through support for SMEs led by youth and women, the establishment of the AfCFTA Adjustment Fund, and partnerships with African Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) to advance trade-related infrastructure.

The Minister emphasised Eritrea’s commitment to adding value to export products, noting that reliance on raw material exports has not yielded substantial benefits for the continent. He concluded by affirming that industrialisation remains a crucial development imperative for Africa’s sustained economic growth.